Criminal Justice (Domestic Violence)

failed · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 5579: Relates to acts of domestic violence committed in the presence of children

Bill A 5579 establishes a new Class E felony offense for individuals who commit acts of domestic violence in the presence of a child aged 15 years or less. It defines "domestic violence crime" as intentionally committing a specified offense, such as various degrees of assault, menacing, or sexual abuse, against a member of the same family or household. The bill specifies who qualifies as a family or household member for these purposes. Any sentence imposed for this new felony would be served consecutively to the sentence for the underlying domestic violence offense.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill creates new felony for domestic violence near children, increasing penalties to protect victims and strengthen enforcement against domestic violence crimes.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Violent Crime

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 3317: Relates to the creation of Melinda's Law in relation to the basis for removal of children

Melinda's Law protects non-abusive parents who report domestic violence from losing custody of their children. It requires courts to consider whether a parent reported abuse before removing children, treating them as "not at fault" if they reported it and are not neglectful. The law prevents abusers from threatening to have children taken away as leverage to control the non-abusive parent. It applies to cases where domestic violence - defined to include emotional, psychological, or physical abuse - has occurred, with specific court procedures to verify reports. This directly affects parents in domestic violence situations seeking to report abuse without fear of child removal.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill protects non-abusive parents reporting domestic violence from custody loss, aligning with criminal justice reform by preventing abuser leverage and safeguarding victim rights in court proceedings.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Domestic Violence

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 4789: Relates to training requirements for attorneys appointed to represent a child in certain proceedings

This bill requires attorneys appointed to represent children in family court proceedings to complete specific training. It mandates 6 hours of initial training and ongoing training covering juvenile delinquency law, domestic violence dynamics, and its impact on children - particularly regarding custody, visitation, and child support. Training programs must be developed with input from the State Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence and approved by the Office of Court Administration. The bill also encourages public defender offices to offer state-bar-approved training on juvenile delinquency for continuing legal education credit. It directly affects all attorneys representing children in these court cases.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates training on juvenile delinquency law for child attorneys, improving representation in cases affecting juvenile justice reform.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Domestic Violence Juvenile Justice

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 7396: Relates to the investigation of suspicious deaths and domestic violence

Requires investigation and autopsy of suspicious deaths where the deceased individual had an identifiable history of being victimized by domestic violence.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates investigations/autopsies for domestic violence-linked suspicious deaths, enhancing victim protection and accountability in criminal justice system.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 5500: Creates the crime of stalking a police officer or peace officer

Creates the crime of stalking a police officer or peace officer when a person intentionally, and for no legitimate purpose, engages in a course of conduct directed at a specific police officer, peace officer or a person who they know or reasonably should know is a member of such officer's immediate family, and knows or reasonably should know that such conduct is likely to cause reasonable fear of material harm to the physical health, safety or property of such officer or member of such officer's immediate family; makes stalking a police officer or peace officer a class E felony; requires the posting of bail; makes related provisions.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates new offense for stalking officers, expanding criminalization without reform indicators. Matches 'oppose' criteria of increased criminalization.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Policing

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in committee · New York · Assembly Mar 12, 2026

A 5606: Prohibits discrimination against any individual with an actual or perceived status as a victim of domestic violence, a sex offense, or stalking

Prohibits discrimination against any individual with an actual or perceived status as a victim of domestic violence, a sex offense, or stalking; requires training on discrimination against individuals with an actual or perceived status as a victim of domestic violence, a sex offense, or stalking.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill prohibits discrimination against crime victims, protecting civil rights within criminal justice system, aligning with reform efforts to ensure fair treatment of vulnerable populations.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProhibits workplace discrimination against victims of domestic violence/stalking, directly protecting workers' rights under employment standards as defined in the topic description.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Civil Rights Domestic Violence

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 6755: Relates to an elder court pilot program

Creates an elder court pilot program to study the effectiveness of senior-specific judicial programming especially involving elder abuse and domestic violence.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates elder court pilot for abuse/domestic violence cases, promoting specialized judicial programming to improve outcomes in criminal justice.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Domestic Violence

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 3465: Relates to establishing the crime of domestic violence

This bill establishes "domestic violence" as a specific class A misdemeanor offense under New York law. It applies when someone commits certain defined misdemeanors (like assault, menacing, or harassment) against a person with whom they have a close relationship, including current/former spouses, parents/guardians, co-parents, or cohabitants. The law specifies exactly which misdemeanor offenses qualify and defines the required relationships between the defendant and victim. It creates a new legal category for these cases, making them punishable as the most serious type of misdemeanor. The bill is currently referred to the Codes committee for further review.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates specific legal category for domestic violence offenses, enhancing victim protection and consistent prosecution under criminal justice framework.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Violent Crime

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failed · New York · Assembly May 5, 2026

A 4499: Provides that persons arrested for domestic violence forfeit bail when violating an order of protection

This bill requires individuals arrested for domestic violence to forfeit any posted bail if they later violate an existing order of protection. It directly affects people charged with domestic violence offenses who breach protection orders issued under various state laws or valid out-of-state orders. The key provision automatically cancels bail upon violation, without requiring a separate court hearing for forfeiture. The law covers protection orders from multiple legal sources, including domestic relations law and family court act provisions. This changes the process by making bail forfeiture automatic upon violation of the order.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires automatic bail forfeiture for domestic violence offenders violating protection orders, strengthening enforcement against repeat offenses and enhancing victim protection within criminal justice framework.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Domestic Violence

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 9005: Establishing a waiver program allowing for longer stays at domestic violence shelters

Establishes a waiver program allowing a domestic violence residential program to apply to the office of children and family services for a waiver enabling a victim of domestic violence to remain at the program's shelter for a period exceeding one hundred and eighty days.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill enables extended shelter stays for domestic violence victims, supporting victim safety and reducing re-victimization within criminal justice system.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence

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